Vollmer, T.R., Roane, H.S., Ringdahl, J.E. & Marcus, B.A. (1999).
Evaluating treatment challenges with differential reinforcement of alternative behavior.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
32, 9-23.
In prior research, differential reinforcement of
alternative behavior (DRA) has been implemented at optimal treatment values: Problem
behavior is never reinforced, and alternative behavior is always reinforced. However, in
application, DRA is unlikely to be conducted optimally. In this study, following a functional
analysis phase and a differential reinforcement at full implementation phase, we challenged
initially positive treatment effects for 3 participants by implementing DRA at less than
optimal parameters. For example, some occurrences of problem behavior were reinforced,
and some occurrences of alternative behavior were not reinforced. Results suggested that
when exposed to DRA at full implementation, participants showed a bias toward appropriate
behavior in subsequent conditions during which "mistakes" (treatment challenges) were
intentionally introduced. In addition, the negative effects of treatment challenges were
quickly reversible, in comparison to the positive effects of DRA, which were not quickly
reversible in the face of treatment challenges.
DESCRIPTORS: functional analysis, differential reinforcement, aberrant behavior,
treatment challenges